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A cat’s litter box is sacred. People who have a feline friend at home also know that it is also a source of smells. This is why it is so important to choose a model that is convenient for both the cat and its owner. The market offers a great variety of litter boxes, so knowing more about them will help you make the right decision.
Cats are well known to be both loving and independent, and this reputation has lead to the development of more and more products tailored to the daily life of these animals. The options available out there are incredible, not to mention litter boxes where our pets can also urinate.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Our selection: The best cat litter boxes on the market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about cat litter boxes
- 3.1 Is it important for a cat to have its own litter box?
- 3.2 How often should I change the sand?
- 3.3 Is changing the sand the only hygienic measure to follow?
- 3.4 How should I prepare the litter box for my new cat?
- 3.5 How can I avoid bad smells?
- 3.6 What if my cat doesn’t use its litter box?
- 3.7 Why does my cat mark the house with urine?
- 3.8 What precautions should I take with a litter box?
- 3.9 What should I do during holidays?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Considering the smell that can emanate from a litter box, even after a single use, covered models are the most popular on the market right now.
- Don’t simply think about your needs and tastes when making your purchase; you also need to take into account your cat’s personality.
- Make sure to keep the litter box squeaky clean if you don’t opt for a self-cleaning model. Cats are very fussy animals and simply won’t do their business in a dirty box.
Our selection: The best cat litter boxes on the market
These products are naturally not the most beautiful thing you’ll have in your home, but they are absolutely essential for the hygiene of your cat. Available in a great variety of prices and styles, you’ll find anything from simple trays to boxes designed to be comfortable for both your feline and yourself, and that prevent the smell from coming out. Here is our selection of the top products available right now on the market:
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about cat litter boxes
Once you understand the character of a cat, it can become the most beautiful companion of all. However, since these animals don’t go out to do their business like dogs, a litter box is an essential item for your cat to feel comfortable at home. In the following section, we’ll look at some of the most frequently asked questions by new cat owners.
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Is it important for a cat to have its own litter box?
Litter boxes are so important for cats specifically because they love to be so clean. This space allows you to easily collect their stool. It’s actually very rare for a cat do its business outside of its litter box.
How often should I change the sand?
Certain sands, known as agglomerating, can be used up to a month. That being said, we recommend you to always collect excrements and wet spots, while adding a bit more clean and dry sand. Plant-based litters should be changed much more often: every three days generally, or at most five.
Is changing the sand the only hygienic measure to follow?
It is sometimes advised to use gloves to clean your litter box. If you prefer not to, washing your hands thoroughly afterwards is another great option. Remember to remove the wettest spots every day; this is key for the welfare of your pet, and of course for yourself.
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How should I prepare the litter box for my new cat?
Besides that, the quantity of sand in the tray is also very important to consider. In that regard, it is recommended to completely fill it so that your cat can easily bury its faeces, which they love doing. These felines tend to be extremely intuitive and will learn by themselves how to use their litter box. If you want, you can stir clean sand in front of your cat so it’ll know where to do it.
How can I avoid bad smells?
Ultimately, maintaining extremely good hygiene is very important, in particularly for your animal. In the event that you have to go away for a few days, give your keys to someone you trust so that they can keep the space equally clean. As mentioned earlier, self-cleaning litter boxes exist; they are very modern, but much less affordable.
What if my cat doesn’t use its litter box?
Older cats who still urinate or defecate outside of their litter box may have one of two problems: either a health condition that prevents them from containing themselves, or they simply don’t like their box. This may be because it isn’t clean enough, or that its location isn’t to their liking, or because they’re not happy with the sand. This may happen, for instance, if you use perfumed sand.
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Why does my cat mark the house with urine?
This phenomenon tends to happen when the cat has difficulty accepting something new: a new home, a new family member, or a new furry friend in the house. As mentioned earlier, your cat could also be urinating outside of its tray because of a medical condition. This is why you should consider taking your feline friend to the vet when it starts marking its territory in your home.
What precautions should I take with a litter box?
Dogs can sometimes eat cats’ excrements, so prioritise a covered litter box if you also have a canine friend at home.
Out of comfort for your cat, its tray should be kept away from its food. For your own comfort, keep it away from the kitchen; terrible smells can sometimes come out of it, even if it is covered. This may not be so appetising during meal times. In addition, it is recommended to leave your cat when it’s doing its business, and to change the litter box around once every year.
What should I do during holidays?
If you really want to take your cat on holidays, it may be possible, but this ultimately depends on your animal’s personality. In that case, you may not want to transport the litter box from home with you, and you’re in luck: travel-specific models are available. You can find foldable products made from waterproof material or from cardboard, that your cat will use a few days before you have to throw it away.
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Shopping Criteria
Ultimately, choosing the perfect litter box doesn’t only come down to your needs, but also to those of your favourite fluffy friend. Cats are creatures of habits and you should always respect their different obsessions. We’ve designed the following section to give you all the information you need to get the best quality and value for money from your litter box.
Style: covered or open?
Covered models tend to be more frequently used due to the bad smells, but open litter boxes are more affordable. Some cats also find themselves more comfortable with the latter, since they love having control over everything happening around them. This is naturally more difficult inside a covered tray.
On the other hand, the cover provides greater security and serenity, making these models more suitable for many felines. In the end, the model that is most appropriate for your cat will greatly depend on its personality. The good thing about covered litter boxes is that the sand will more easily remain clean.
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Sizes
A litter box should naturally be big enough to fit your pet, or be even larger if you have several fluffy friends. These animals have a tendency of imitating each other, which may lead them to do their business at the same time. While some claim that a big tray is enough for both cats, certain experts believe that each should have their own.
You probably already know that these animals simply love digging! They also have the habit of twirling while doing so, which means that a bigger litter box will always be better for them. That being said, it may result uncomfortable if you have a small place for.
Shapes and colours
The most common shape for these items is rectangular. While they represent the vast majority of models available on the market, that doesn’t mean that there is no space for innovation and new shapes. In some cases, triangular products may be more suitable for some parts of your house, and your cat may even prefer it. Circular litter boxes also tend to be more attractive.
Nowadays, you can even find some models that are designed to look like other objects so as not to stand out from your home decor too much – like a flowerpot shape, for instance. Regarding colours, this tends to be much more of an issue for the owner than for the cat, and you should be able to find something to your liking quite easily. There are many options on the market, and you can choose from the colours that predominate in your home.
Additional options
Besides the litter box where you cat will be able to do its business inside the house without causing too much discomfort for anyone, other products can be used to complement it. Most have to do with maintaining the cleanliness of the tray and the space surrounding it. These complements and their uses are the following:
| Complement | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Scoop | Used to collect the faeces. This should be done after each deposition. It can also help with the full cleaning of the litter box. |
| Mat | It can be placed under the tray to prevent it from moving around too much. If you set it by the litter box, your cat will be able to clean its sandy paws to keep your home clean. |
| Deodoriser | It will neutralise the unpleasant smells of the tray, and can actually help prolong its useful life. |
| Hygienic bags | They are designed to be placed on the litter box. Durable models will avoid urine accumulation and combat bad odours. They will make cleaning faster and easier, and prolong the use of the tray. |
| Rack | It should be place inside the litter box, and all you have to do is lift it and collect both excrements and the sand balls agglomerated by the urine. Simply throw them away and put the rack back inside the tray. |
Summary
Your cat absolutely needs its own litter box, in spite of the fact that they don’t always look good in your home. Remember to consider your feline friend’s personality when deciding on a specific product, as well as your home decor and your own comfort: the smells emanating from it can definitely be annoying.
Luckily for you, there is an ever-increasing offer of products on the market. Cats are extremely affectionate companions, and we want the best for them and for us. Colours, sizes, shapes and designs: there is something for everyone out there when it comes to picking a new litter box.
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